Walmart plans to build two stores in Pamlico County

Published: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 09:32 AM.

Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, is coming to Pamlico County in a big way — building a “smaller” Supercenter in Grantsboro and a Walmart Express just outside of Oriental.

The stores will bring about 100 new full- and part-time jobs to Pamlico County, with about 20 in the Oriental store and 80 at the Grantsboro location.

The new stores have been the subject of speculation and controversy since the town of Oriental announced the Oriental store in late August. A protest group in Oriental continues to solicit the Oriental and county commissioners on the matter. The group has also produced anti-Walmart T-shirts and signs.

Walmart Director of Communciations – East Bill Wertz told the Sun Journal that the retail giant would submit site plans to the Pamlico County inspections office Tuesday.

He said the construction timetable will be announced soon, adding that it will likely be 2014 before the two stores are completed and open.

The Oriental store will be a 12,000 square-foot Express, a relatively new Walmart style.

Wertz said the Oriental store will have a gas station, but not a pharmacy. Oriental protesters had expressed concern that a pharmacy would threaten the town’s establish Denton Pharmacy.

Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, is coming to Pamlico County in a big way — building a “smaller” Supercenter in Grantsboro and a Walmart Express just outside of Oriental.

The stores will bring about 100 new full- and part-time jobs to Pamlico County, with about 20 in the Oriental store and 80 at the Grantsboro location.

The new stores have been the subject of speculation and controversy since the town of Oriental announced the Oriental store in late August. A protest group in Oriental continues to solicit the Oriental and county commissioners on the matter. The group has also produced anti-Walmart T-shirts and signs.

Walmart Director of Communciations – East Bill Wertz told the Sun Journal that the retail giant would submit site plans to the Pamlico County inspections office Tuesday.

He said the construction timetable will be announced soon, adding that it will likely be 2014 before the two stores are completed and open.

The Oriental store will be a 12,000 square-foot Express, a relatively new Walmart style.

Wertz said the Oriental store will have a gas station, but not a pharmacy. Oriental protesters had expressed concern that a pharmacy would threaten the town’s establish Denton Pharmacy.

The Granstsboro store will be a smaller Supercenter, covering 70,000 square-feet. The Grantsboro location is reported to be on a 14-acre tract located behind where a new State Employees Credit Union is being built on N.C. 55. It is across the road from the Pamlico Square Shopping Center, which is anchored by a Food Lion. According to the plans, the entrance area would be between the current State Employees building and its new facility. It would be narrow at the front along the highway and widen to the area where the store and parking are located.

Another lot, next to the current credit union, has been purchased by an urgent care company.

Wertz said the expansion into Pamlico County is part of the company’s ongoing look for new sites.

“We’re still looking at other locations,” he said, adding that included Pamlico, Craven and Jones counties. “We may well have additional plans to announce at some point in the future. These were (Pamlico) sites where we really thought we could add some convenience for our customers and give them an opportunity to shop where they weren’t otherwise able to. That is really the rationale.”

Wertz said that while some managers and other senior leaders may involve employees being brought to the new stores, that the majority of the hiring would be local.

“About six months before we would expect to open, we would basically open a local hiring center,” he said.

He said the local jobs would mostly be above minimum wage, with health benefits for both full- and part-time workers.

“It is really competitive with other retailers,” he said. “And very, very few of our associates nationwide — a teeny percentage — make minimum wage.”

Walmart will be the subject of at least two meetings on Thursday involving the town boards.

Grantsboro Mayor Alfred Cahoon said the town has received the site plans and will meet with Walmart officials at 7 p.m. Thursday in a joint meeting of the council and planning board. He said the retailer has requested a variance in regard to parking — installing more than 200 parking spaces.

Approval of a variance would likely require a public hearing, precluding a final decision Thursday. A planning board recommendation would go to the full council.

Cahoon said he had “mixed emotions” about the Walmart.

“It will be a big thing in one manner for Grantsboro and the county, as far as tax base,” he said. “My main concern is for the existing businesses. I haven’t decided yes or no.”

Oriental Mayor Bill Sage called a special 5:30 p.m. Thursday meeting at town hall to discuss the Walmart Express and consider several resolutions that are expected to be introduced.

One resolution is by Sage, which would reinforce the town’s full support of local businesses and acknowledge “lots and lots of public input.”

His resolution will urge Walmart to consider the town’s vision and comprehensive plan, the results of “a great deal of time and effort.”

Sage said the vision sums up the townspeople’s plan for the town going forward.

“Oriental is a small, waterfront, historically fishing village, now with sailing and boating emphasis,” he said, adding, “and what they would call ‘a front porch feel’ where neighbors greet neighbors and there is the village atmosphere.”

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or Charlie.hall@newbernsj.com.